Edge Davao 8 Issue 83

VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

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Woman nabbed in 90K buy-bust P2 1 soldier, 2 rebels killed in encounter P3

Duterte on P-Noy’s final SONA

PASSING GRADE

SONA PROTEST. Members of different militant groups hold banners and placards with antigovernment slogans as they march with President Aquino’s effigy along the main streets of Davao City in time for the President’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Rody gives P-Noy 7.5 rating, but stresses some EDGEDAVAO Sports missing points like illegal drugs, hits blame game Pacman

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte has given President Benigno Aquino III a 7.5 grade in his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday.

In an interview last night at the People’s Park where he watched the SONA on television, Duterte said he gave the President a passing grade because he noted that the Phil-

ippines has developed in the past five years.

“Nganong i-down man nimo ang president nga tinuod man pud. Nisulod man jud ang investments (Why

would I give a low grade to President that there is a fact that investments poured in the country),” Duterte said.

“Ang problema diha unsa

FRODY, 10

Mindanao Aguilas join ABL Page 15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

JAMPACKED. Hundreds of ambulant vendors head home as they were not able to enter the Davao City Recreation Center which was already packed with fellow vendors who went there early in the morning to attend a food handling seminar yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Woman nabbed in P90K buy-bust

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

PERATIVES of San Pedro Police Station arrested a 20-yearold woman in a buy-bust operation along Anda, Street Davao City on Sunday night.

Police said the suspect (name withheld since she is a woman) is a resident of Sto. Niño, Matina, Barangay 74-A. Police said the woman was arrested at around 11:50 p.m. on July 26, 2015 after selling a big sachet of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) to an undercover agent.

Police said they found

another packet of shabu when they frisked the suspect.

Police said the illegal drugs confiscated had an estimated total street value of P90,000.

Fernandez is now in the custody of San Pedro Police Station and a case will be filed against her for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Police said the suspect is known to sell drugs in different bars and clubs in the city.

Aquino bats for BBL P

RESIDENT Benigno Aquino yesterday batted for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), saying it is the only way for peace to be achieved in Mindanao.

In his sixth and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) which lasted for more than two hours, Mr. Aquino dared critics of the proposed law to propose viable solutions to the conflict in Mindanao.

“To those who are opposed to the BBL, it is your obligation to put forward a better solution,” he said.

“How many more lives will be sacrificed before peace is achieved?” he add-

ed.

The House of Representatives leadership earlier expressed optimism that the proposed BBL will be approved by both chambers of Congress before the end of the 3rd and last regular session of the 16th Congress.

For its part, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said on Saturday that it will continue to demand for the implementation of the peace agreements it signed with the government even if the BBL is not passed within President Aquino’s term.

But MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim maintained that the “ideal time” to pass

Haran incident not mishandled: Danao

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA and ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

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AVAO City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr. believes the commotion at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)-Haran compound last Thursday was not the result of mishandling but by miscommunication.

In a press conference Sunday afternoon, Danao said if he had been present at the time of the “rescue” operation, the situation might

have been different.

Danao had left the city Wednesday for Manila and returned only on Sunday afternoon.

“If I were there, lahat naman nadadaan sa usapan.

Sa tingin ko miscommunication ang nangyari at hindi mishandling (everything can be settled by negotiation.

I think it was just a case of miscommunication and not mishandling),” he said.

It was Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who said the inci-

dent was “clearly mishandled” as he called on the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Commission on Human RIghts (CHR) to investigate the matter.

Police had tried to go inside the UCCP-Haran Compound on July 23 in an attempt to “rescue” more than 1,000 indigenous peoples allegedly being held by IP officials and militant groups.

The IPs, however, have claimed they had left their homes because of military

harassment.

The incident resulted in the injuring of two policemen and 10 Lumads.

Danao stressed that the purpose of the police officers in the area was not force the Lumads out of the compound but to rescue the children and those who were sick.

He added his personnel were only responding to the call of the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples

Service Office (PESO) which is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

Elento said while her group is pushing for the establishment of a separate office under the CMO as mandated by the ordinance, placing it under the PESO is better than nothing.

Elento said MMCEAI will push for the separation of the center from PESO in the future.

Once established, the center will be providing ser-

vices to distressed OFWs as well as their respective family members who are left here in the city.

She said the center will be providing financial management seminars to both OFWs and the families to enable them to secure sustainability even if the OFW decides to come home and stay here.

Elento also said among the important functions of the office is the data gather-

FNO, 10

Group pushes for OFW Center

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

VERSEAS Filipino Worker (OFW) rights group Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions, Inc. (MMCEAI) is pushing for the establishment of an OFW center in Davao City under the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) as part of the implementation of the OFW Ordinance which was passed in April 2008.

“It’s been seven years since the approval of the ordinance but it has not yet been implemented be-

cause of budgetary issues,” (MMCEAI) executive director Inorisa Sialana-Elento said yesterday at the Kapehan sa Dabaw held at SM City Davao Annex.

She said initial talks with the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO), and Integrated Gender Development Division (IGDD) resulted in the setting up of an OFW center as a division of the Public Employment

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

STUDENTS SPEAK:

How the youth view the President’s final SONA Compiled by VANESSA KATE MADRAZO, JESSA PUTONG and PRINCE SIMON CANDA

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DGE DAVAO also asked Dabawenyo students on their views on the SONA of President Aquino and how they would rate him after five years at the presidency.

Here are some of the answers: “ For me, PNoy’s SONA last year is nonsense because I can’t see it in his actions” – Jessa Allegre ( SPC2ND year BS-Psychology) “I hope that President Aquino will address the different developments of the country so far our standing in terms of economy and our relationship with china if we are in good terms with them or not.” – Ejayhan Fernandes ( SPC4th year BS-Pharmacy) “ It seems that PNoy wasn’t able to accomplished what he said during his last SONA and I’m expecting that his SONA today will be just quite similar before that still he wasn’t able to fulfill all what he said” –John Victor Milana (HCDC- 4th year AB-English) “ In PNoy’s last SONA, I was convinced yet still confused because though there are improvements but still there are a lot of questions in our government that is still remained unanswered” – Samantha Junsay ( USEP- 2nd year AB-Language) “I can say that all his promises is just coming from his mouth because I can’t see it on his actions” – Quinee Lanzaderas (USEP4th year AB-Language) “ I’m expecting in PNoy’s SONA today that like last year he highlighted his achievements but what we need is a clarification” – Fritz Arroyo ( USEP- 2nd year AB-Language) “ what I am expecting in PNoy’s SONA today is that he will be able to share to us the result of the issues stated during his last year’s SONA” –Monique Bucao (USEP- 4TH year AB-literature) “ I am expecting that PNoy will definitely mention in his SONA today that the unheard voices will be given a chance to be heard” – Hazel Salaga (USEP- 4th

year AB-Literature) “ I am expecting in PNoy’s SONA today the truth but nothing but the truth” Kimberly Libores (USEP- 4th year AB-Literature) “ Ang masasabi ko lang sa SONA ni PNoy ay si PNoy ay Pabida sapagakat karamihan sa kanyang sinasabi ay puro niya lang achievements” – Jomet Deleon (USEP- 2ND year BSStatistics) “ Sa aking na observe, masasabi ko lang na ang halos sinasabi ni PNoy sa kanyang SONA ay ang mga issues na kanyang na-touch hindi niya sinasabi ang iba pa na mas kailangan nating marinig” – PB Hilay (USEP4th year BS-Biology) “ I can say that PNoy is not meant to be our president because he is not deserving to be our president because I can’t see the improvement of our country”- Karla Tenebro (HCDC- Bachelor of Elementary Education major in SPED) -“ I am expecting that in PNoy’s SONA today there will be many promises and statements that can make us Filipinos expect. Words can soften the people’s mind but actions can seize the heart. We the Filipino people are here to cooperate and Mr. President must learn to legislate”- Jasper Guya (UM Davao- 4th year BS- Electrical Engineering) “ In my 19 years of existence from GMA to PNoy, I really don’t care about the politics in our country and how they manage but as I’ve observed many people are suffering I can’t feel the improvement of our economy as what PNoy have mentioned in his last year’s SONA that our economy is improving” –Manuel Ranido (SPC 4th year- BS-Pharmacy) “ I cant say that the K-12 as mentioned in his SONA last year is really helpful because it is time consuming and we all know that many people cannot afford to send their children in schools and now he implements that k-12 it would make others lives more dif-

FHOW, 10

TONED DOWN. Unlike the past years when celebrations were extravagant and marked by big budget events, a banner written with greetings of Iglesia ni Cristo’s 101st anniversary was the only indication that the religious group

was celebrating an important milestone after it was hit with controversies last week. Lean Daval Jr.

Dabawenyos speak on SONA Compiled by ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. and CHENEEN R. CAPON

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ost Dabawenyos were immediately turned off by the blame game President Aquino started out his much-anticipated State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday.

Lawyers Heraclio Malaki III and Caesar Europa Jr. pointed out the President’s reference to the past administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as “frustrating and grandstanding.”

Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan also said the President’s report is no longer one of the present times but one dwelling on the wrongdoings of the past.

EDGE DAVAO took the reactions of some personalities in Davao City on the final SONA of the President.

Here goes: Atty.Heraclio T. Malaki III “Tama naang pa-pogi at the expense of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.”

Atty. Caesar S. Europa “The early part of the SONA was frustrating because after 5 years blame was still being directed at the previous administration. “ “As to the rest of the SONA while there were reports of the economic and other improvements which are appreciated.”

“It seems that a lot is still “forthcoming” and more importantly what happened to early promises like the Freedom of Information Act. What about the charges of anomalies against high ranking public officers what about the DAP(Disbursement Acceleration Program)?”

“Finally, are the economic gains really felt by the impoverished? Hindi naiintindihan ng gutomangGDP(Gross Domestic Product).”

Senior Inspector Milgrace C. Driz,Davao City Police Office spokesperson

“The President has delivered well his statement; he presented his post very well on his accomplishments and made grateful recognition of those cabinet members who helped him implement his thrust na “Tuwid Na Daan”. “ “Although, he has still less than a year to go to improve and he has been doing well.”

Antonio dela Cruz,Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) president “He has practically enumerated all his accomplishments, especially on the economic index, including foreign direct investment (FDI), domestic index. He requested congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law and Anti-dynasty but not the Freedom of Information (FOI) Law.” Rowena Paraan,National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) chair

“FOI (Freedom of Information) ignored again!”

Gabriela Party-list Representative Luzviminda Ilagan “He blamed the past and talked about plans in the future when he is no longer the president but he did not (talk about) the present state of the nation.”

“Misleading data, deceptive statements and blatant lies! It was a valedictory endlessly thanking all his co-conspirators in the dismal failure of governance.

Example: economic growthnot inclusive- the rich have become richer, the poor, poorer.”

“Was there mention of human rights? Mamasapano, SAF, the magnuindanao massacre, the killng of journalists, intense militarization in the country side, the lumads displaced. Did he talk about how to rhab disaster areas?

No.”

1 soldier, 2 rebels killed in encounter

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

soldier and two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter in Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province on Sunday morning.

The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) did not divulge the name of the soldier, only saying he was a member of 71st Infantry Battalion, 10th Infantry

Division.

The incident happened in Sitio Camarin, Barangay Napnapan in Pantukan at around 12 noon on July 26.

In a statement, the EastMinCom said the soldiers were providing security patrol when they were fired upon by around 50 NPA members under a certain alias Maruz.

The military said accord-

ing to civilians, the rebels were conducting harassment and extortion activities in the adjacent villages.

The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes and resulted in the death of the soldier.

The military also said two rebels were killed but were carried away by their companions during their escape.

The EastMinCom said the fleeing rebels hid their

two slain comrades in the forest.

The military said it is still trying to located the bodies in order to facilitate their documentation and burial.

1001st Infantry Brigade Commander Colonel Casiano Monilla said AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP) operations will continue against the NPA.

EDGEDAVAO

4 SUBURBIA

VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

Draft BBL deliberation to resume after SONA

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AGAYAN Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the House AdHoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, today said the House of Representatives will buckle down to work after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Aquino to continue discussing House Bill 5811.

Rodriguez said he has prepared to defend his bill, now known as draft Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR), when Congress went on recess.

According to Rodriguez, the House is eyeing to pass the Bangsamoro basic law by mid-September.

“I am confident my proposal will hurdle questioning because I have prepared to answer all debates from House members,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, chair of the government peace panel in talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, lauded the House leaders for the commitment to pass the law by September.

But while Ferrer lauded the House “for the efforts,” she said people are anxiously waiting for the committee report of Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on the proposed Bangsamoro Law to be released.

“Until the Senate committee report is out, the law-making process in the Upper House stays at a standstill, she said in a statement.

“We are grateful that the Lower House has moved ahead of the process at their level and intends to see it through,” Ferrer added.

Earlier, House Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales II said that the House is targeting the passage of the Basic Law on third and final reading by the third week of September, alongside the committee hearings on the 2016 national budget which will begin soon after Congress reopens next week.

“After all the hearings and public statements, the only hard basis on which to discern the fate of the draft law is the Senate Committee report. How far from the current House bill would the Senate version go?

Would the key structural features be retained? Are we back to square one?” Ferrer asked.

“Still, we continue to hope that we will get over the hump and look forward to more constructive engagements with our legislators in both Houses,” Ferrer said.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles has re-affirmed that the government’s efforts to push for peace in Mindanao will continue even as the Aquino administration is already on its last year.

“The President remains unwavering in his commitment to bring an end to this internal armed conflict, these four decades of war,” Deles said, noting that the Bangsamoro peace process “has reached the closest that it has ever reached to ending this armed conflict.”

According to Deles, this is also the “closest that the peace process has ever reached to bringing a new arrangement, a new demographic institutional arrangement in Muslim Mindanao, to be able to come as close as possible to that aspiration of self-determination, of self-governance which is recognized by our Constitution.”

Deles pointed out that the efforts to find peace is not over and it will continue, regardless of what. “There is so much to do in terms of rebuilding the region that has been so devastated by war.”

“We know that the BBL will not resolve all the problems of violence in the area, but we also know that with the resolution of this problem with the largest, most organized group that has been fighting government, this is a good foundation,” Deles said. (PNA)

‘No-pick-up policy’in between terminals imposed in Region 12

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US firms in Region 12 have started implementing a “no pickup policy” aimed at avoiding bombing incidents that rocked the mass transport industry in the past months.

The bus companies that have been implementing this security measures include the Weena Bus Company, Yellow Bus Company and Husky bus firm that service Cotabato City-Davao City, Cotabato City-Gen. Santos City and Koronadal City-Davao City routes.

Mayor Fernando Miguel of Koronadal City said he recommended the imposition of “no pick-up policy” following a series of bombing incidents involving Yellow Bus Company.

The policy prohibits pas-

senger buses to pick-up and discharge passengers in between terminals.

Previous bombing incidents in the region have been carried out by persons who boarded the bus along the highway and disembark before reaching a terminal in urban centers.

The latest attempt was against YBL in Sto. Nino, South Cotabato where a man who boarded at a terminal in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat but demanded to disembark before the Sto Nino bus terminal.

The driver became suspicious something was wrong so he ignored the passenger’s demand and brought the bus to the Sto Nino terminal where the man hurriedly left. (PNA)

DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. Siblings carry sackfuls of laundry from the mountain to a nearby river in Pugaan, Iligan City for washing on Sunday morning. MindaNews photo by Bobby Timonera

Monsanto, GK community farms benefit 400 families M

ONSANTO Fund, in partnership with NGO Gawad Kalinga, the Department of Agriculture, local government units, and non-government units have joined forces to address the issue of starvation in Southern Mindanao.

Dubbed Bayan-Anihan (or community harvest), the project aims to support one family at a time by setting up sustainable food programs in every impoverished community in the Davao Region through the setup of 10 farms. The farms are located near villages built by Gawad Kalinga.

The Bayan-Anihan sites

have benefited over 413 families in the region. Last week, over 30 families in Catigan, Davao del Sur benefited from this model via turnover of health insurance and food sufficiency programs.

The recent Social Weather Station Survey, released in fourth quarter of 2013, indicated 18.1 percent or an estimated 3.90 million families are experiencing involuntary hunger. Filipinos have been suffering from the lack of anything to eat.

“Monsanto has been supporting poverty-alleviation mechanisms, specifically projects which address the critical issue of hunger. We

have been working closely with Gawad Kalinga in helping more communities to achieve sustainable and sufficient sustenance,” said Christopher Samuel, Corporate Engagement Regional Director of Monsanto Company.

“Poverty has been one of the most pressing social problems which must be addressed promptly. It is closely linked to hunger which also leads to malnutrition and several diseases. In the country, a great number of Filipinos have been suffering from hunger which in turn affects their quality of life. We, in Monsanto, have been working to improve

the quality of lives in more communities through the establishment of self-sustaining mechanisms. We are humbled to be partners with Gawad Kalinga in addressing the problem of hunger,” he added.

Thanks to the project Bayan-nihan of Gawad Kalinga and Monsanto Fund, more and more families are being spared from starvation.

Monsanto, together with its philanthropic arm, the Monsanto Fund, have been partnering with various sectors in the country for over 45 years now, continuously aiming to improve more lives in rural communities.

viral (ARV) drug treatment.

“The ARV drugs will be available soon at the clinic,” he said in a statement.

HIV patients from Region 12 currently receive ARV treatment at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City that had been designated as the treatment hub for the area.

ARV drug treatment mainly stops the multiplication of the infected person’s viral load and eventually prevents them from further spreading the disease.

In some countries, the use of ARV drugs has helped effectively lower the incidence of HIV infection to about one percent and eventually stabilized the detected cases.

Tumama said the ARV drugs will also be provided for free at the satellite treatment hub.

He said the national government has been supporting the HIV treatment hubs through taxes collected from tobacco and alcohol products.

The government spends around PHP70,000 for the annual treatment of HIV patients, he said.

Since 2007, the SHC here has already diagnosed 206 cases of HIV/AIDS. Fifty of the patients, who came from parts of Region 12, had died due to advanced infections.

Dr. Mely Lastimoso, SHC coordinator, said the opening of the HIV treat-

ment facility here will facilitate the immediate treatment of newly-detected HIV cases.

He said it will also ensure that patients will get proper treatment and as scheduled.

She noted that even if ARV reduces the risks of death and complications, patients need to strictly adhere to the treatment program.

“This means strictly no delays in taking medicines.

A 100 virus count might multiply into thousands viruses if the ARV is not taken religiously,” she said.

Lastimoso explained that each patient needs a single dose of ARV on a daily basis “for life.” (PNA)

HIV satellite treatment hub to open in GenSan T

HE Department of Health (DOH) in Region 12 is set to open a satellite treatment hub here for patients who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Dr. Ali Tumama, DOH-12 program manager for sexually-transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), said the construction of the treatment facility is underway in coordination with the city government.

He said the establishment of the treatment hub, which will be managed by the City Health Office’s Social Hygiene Clinic (SHC), is mainly aimed to encourage more HIV patients in the area to undergo antiretro-

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

Women told: Produce healthy snack food

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

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OMEN in Davao City have been urged to start producing healthy food snacks in a bid to empower them through entrepreneurship.

Davao Food Revolution program director Patmei Ruivivar made the encouragement in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex, saying that those who want to start their business can always seek their assistance.

“With a starting capital of P10,000, women could start producing food products like kamote juice, malunggay polvoron and accessories among others,” Ruivivar said.

Ruivivar said included in the P10,000 capital is the food cart sponsored by the city government under the barangay microenterprise program.

“There are three active food carts as of now,” Ruivivar said. “Food carts are located in Palma Elementary School, Matina Crossing High School, and Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School. “ She said the organization had also inked a partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) to make public schools here as the primary market of naturally produced and artificial-free food products.

“We would like to encourage more women to enter in this kind of business because aside from the tax incentive, they will able to help the city government in

T

promoting healthy lifestyle,” she said.

Ruivivar said there are a total of 20 women in the city producing products like malunggay polvoron. Another 30 individual are also producing the needed raw material like malunggay, lemon grass, squash, among others.

Most of their producers are residents of Los Amigos, Mintal, Tugbok, while their sellers and distributors are from the downtown area of Davao City, according to Ruivivar.

More food carts will also be operating soon in the city’s different schools.

“We’re planning to promote the product and make the carts more visible to the public this Kadayawan Festival,” Ruivivar said.

The food carts will be placed in areas where people congregate like Museyo Dabaw, NCCC Centerpoint and People’s Park.

Ruivivar said being an entrepreneur will enable women to contribute to the financial requirement of their respective family rather than depending solely on the income of their partners.

“Our entrepreneur women can earn an average of P1,000 per day. This is way higher than the minimum wage in the region,” she said.

Maria Salome Tabudlong, one of the entrepreneurs, said she can help her family with the business.

Mindanao Migrants

More iron - fortified rice produced

HE number of rice millers using iron fortified rice or i-Rice is increasing in Compostela Valley since the launching of the rice fortification program in 2007 in Compostela Valley province.

Kenneth Barroga, the Provincial Science and Technology Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region XI in Compostela Valley, said the involvement of the rice millers came after the provincial government of this province passed an Ordinance detailing a mechanism on the selling and production of iron fortified rice.

He said their province was given priority in the launching of i-Rice after it was badly hit by typhoon Pablo leaving residents especially poor families with totally damaged food production farm lands.

Considering that Filipinos are rice eaters, he said the iron fortified rice would

give them, adults and children, the proper nutrients.

According to Barroga, their campaign is continuing even if they already noted some good results from the program in terms of bringing down incidence of anemia among children. He disclosed that the provincial government will also go on a familiarization tour in Zambales to see the successful implementation of i-Rice there.

Marcela C. Saises, Senior Science Research Specialist of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) Manila said the cases of anemia in the country is alarming.

“It took us 14 years to hit a breakthrough on iron fortification in rice,” she said.

The project is supported by the International Life Sciences Institute–Center for Health Protection in Tokyo, Japan with specific study on “Iron Fortified Rice Development and Technology Grants

FMORE, 10

Center for Empowering Actions, Inc. executive director Inorisa Sialana-Elento said government projects like this allow wives of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to earn extra income for the family.

Florence Mananquil, president of the Samahan ng Pamilyang OFW sa Matina Crossing and a former OFW herself, said the business enabled her to stand again on her feet after returning to the country after years of employment abroad.

Elento said engagement to business allows members of OFW families to eliminate dependence of the remittances as well as save a portion of the income for other purposes. CRC

FOOD BUSINESS. Davao Food Revolution program director Patmei Ruivivar (right) encourages women to go into food production such as kamote juice and malunggay polvoron, promising that they will always have her office’s assistance. Ruivivar and Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions, Inc. (MMCEAI) executive director Inorisa Sialana-Elento (left) graced yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

BFAR eyes study on tuna activities

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 11 will conduct a study to further identify activities of tuna in the Davao Gulf following the there-month ban on commercial fishing operation.

BFAR 11 director Fatma Idris said the research conducted last year after the closed season revealed that there were tuna and tuna-like larvae found in some areas of the gulf.

“We will look on the possibility of studying further

the status of the presence of tuna in the gulf,” Idris said in the recent Hermes Club media forum at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.

This, after BFAR’s conducted research study concluded in the identification of larvae in the gulf after last year’s two month closed season.

Earlier, the BFAR study showed that the Davao Gulf was not just a home to some small pelagic fishes, but also to oceanic tunas like the bigeyed tuna.

MV DA-BFAR researcher

Investment approvals up 20% at end-May

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NVESTMENT approvals of the Board of Investments (BOI) in January to May 2015 has increased from a year ago, data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showed.

Investment pledges in BOI in the first five months of the year jumped by 20.2 percent to Php78.68 billion from Php65.46 billion the same period in 2014.

BOI’s investment approvals shared 56.3 percent to the total investment pledges under the two investment promotion agencies (IPAs) under DTI. The other IPA, Philippine Economic Zone Authority

(PEZA), had an approved investments worth Php61.08 billion at end-May 2015.

Investment pledges in PEZA decreased by 39.8 percent from last year’s same period amounting to Php101.48 billion.

The slump in PEZA-approved investments pulled DTI’s IPAs performance in January to May this year.

Combined investment approvals of BOI and PEZA at end-May 2015 fell by 16.3 percent to Php139.76 billion from Php166.94 billion in the same period in 2014.

BOI and PEZA are the country’s two major IPAs. (PNA)

TESDA, GenSan LGU give scholarship grants

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HE partnership of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the local government unit of General Santos City (LGUGSC) have enrolled hundreds of applicants as part of the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP).

On Thursday last week, TESDA Region 12 headed by Richard Amparo gave TWSPs to 460 qualified applicants who were screened by the AKLAT Division of the City Mayor’s Office.

The AKLAT or the Alay sa Kabataang General Lahat ng Alaga at Talino is a special division in the city to government that handles all of its educational programs.

It was created by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera in 2013 when he became the local chief executive of the city.

The TWSP was launched in 2006 by the Office of the President and was implemented in 2008. It aims to help individuals, who have at

least high school diploma, to acquire necessary and in-demand skills—both here and abroad.

The TWSP helps its recipients to land jobs that are fit to their skills and rates.

Among the courses offered under the TWSP are housekeeping, cookery, welding, automotive, tourism, hotel and restaurant, and animation. The training programs for each of these courses usually last two to three months. They will train at TESDA accredited schools here in the city such as the ACLC College and Goldenstate College.

The TWSP distributed in Gensan, is worth around P2.8 million according to Amparo. The allocation for Gensan is bigger compared to its neighboring areas in the SOCSKSARGEN Region.

“If you can still remember the time when TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva visited here in Gensan, the

FTESDA, 10

Riczyneth A. Arinque, in his report last year, said larvae were found along 25-meter depths “where water is not that warm and not that saline,” Arinque also reported that the “highest distribution of fish larvae was observed at stations near Lupon, Pantukan, Tagum and Panabo where abundant phytoplankton was also found especially along 25 meters.”

BFAR fisheries licensing and law enforcement division officer in charge-

Jose Villanueva earlier said tuna production increased because small pelagic fish were the main diet of the seven tuna species that thrive in the gulf.

“The most exciting about this is the presence of the big eye tuna, which costs the most in the market,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva added their initial studies showed that the tuna species like big eye tuna increased in both volume and size because of the ban as the result of the prohibition of ring nets and

bag nets.

The agency was able to determine this through an increase in the findings of larvae of several species of fish, measured in CPU or catch per unit efforts.

BFAR is implementing a three-month closed season during spawning season to increase the production of small pelagic fishes.

Commercial operation of fishing vessels are prohibited from June to August to ensure that the volume and size of small pelagic fishes caught will increase.

According to BFAR, some of the variety of mackerel locally known as karabalyas, kabalyas, hasa-hasa, buraw, anduhaw, kapisnon, lumahan and anduhan; variety of roundscad species also known as galonggong, moro-moro, borot, alumahan, budburon, burot-burot; and the variety of big eye scad species locally known as matangbaka, atulay, matambaka, tamrong and budlatan are thriving in the gulf. (CRC with reports from Mindanews)

ECO-MARKET DAY. A Hedcor volunteer-employee assists Bagobo-Tagabawa students in registering their names after turning over recyclable wastes in exchange for money.

Hydro firm instills sustainability mindset for Tudaya youth

“

From small beginnings come great things” is a proverb that encapsulates Hedcor’s intention of setting up Eco-Market Days.

The quarterly activity aims to lessen garbage that might otherwise pollute the streams and rivers within its host communities. The Eco-Market Day also helps raise local awareness of global environmental issues.

Just recently, Hedcor invited students of Tudaya Elementary School and communities in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur to

participate in the activity. The community lined up to sell their household wastes to the Hedcor volunteer-employee.

The students brought recyclable materials such as scrap metals, glass bottles, and a variety of plastic products. The recyclable materials generated income for the participating students who will use their earnings to augment their school allowance.

At the end of the activity, at least 318 kilos of recyclable materials were collected then sold to neighborhood junk

shops in order to stimulate the local recycling micro-economy.

Through programs like this, Hedcor helps local communities better appreciate simple environmental initiatives that go a long way in instilling a sustainability mindset for the younger generation.

Hedcor vice president Rolando Pacquiao said, “The youth are our future.

Ensuring that they grow up as responsible stewards for their local environment is essential for a sustainable future,” be-

lieving that local action is the key to global change.

Hedcor, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AboitizPower owning and operating 22 run-of-river hydropower plants in Davao, Benguet, Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur with a total capacity of 185 MWs. Thus, Hedcor is on track of its construction progress for the 68.8-MW Manolo Fortich Hydro Project in the Province of Bukidnon that will efficiently generate an estimated 360 GWh of renewable energy by 2017.

able evaluation on the city’s competitiveness was done a couple of years ago by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).”

“Not because their evaluation has always resulted to Davao being on top or part of the top 3 always but simply because they understood the numbers and the descriptions that go with the numbers,” he said in an emailed statement.

Cortez added that the” system of validation of NCC needs a lot of improvement.”

He cited one particular indicator in Infrastructure

which “was very erroneous and disadvantageous for Davao City.”

“In 2013, the NCC recorded our road network at 1,278 kilometers. In 2014, they recorded it at 817 km. only,” he said. “If a person is not familiar with Davao City and this is the kind of data given, the person would assume that a great disaster has befallen the city for its road network was practically reduced to 60% of its previous state.”

He said the NCC proceeded with tabulation without analysis.

“That is the difference between AIM and NCC,” Cortez said.

Another obvious error, he added, is how the NCC ranked Davao at 127th in terms of utilities (water and power) which is already almost at the bottom compared to all other cities and municipalities.

“One would think the data they got from Davao City in terms of water and power capacity were taken during World War II era,” Cortez said.

The reason why the city

Cortez doubts NCCC evaluation on Davao competitiveness

D

AVAO City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) head Ivan C. Cortez expressed doubts on the evaluation on the city’s competitiveness by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC).

The NCCC evaluation showed that Davao suffered a decline from 4th ranked last year to only 5th this year in the category, but Cortez said there is nothing to worry about the reported slide.

“I’m taking it with a sack of salt,” he said.

Cortez still believes that the “better and more reli-

FCORTEZ, 10

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

EDGEDAVAO TRAVEL The Nan Lian Gaarden’s golden pagoda.

The vibe of the garden is light and easy with locals and tourists visiting the place.

ONE can never tire of Hong Kong. What is supposedly one of the smallest and most densely populated territories in the world harbours so many nooks and crannies just waiting to be discovered.

These seemingly endless places to visit, together with the fabulous food and shopping scene make the former British Crown Colony an easy yet exciting respite just an hour and fifty minutes away from Manila.

A new discovery for me is the Nan Lian Garden which is located at the foot of Diamond Hill in Kowloon. The Nan Lian Garden is a public park built in the style of the Tang dynasty. Its scenic garden is meticulously landscaped over an area of 3.5 hectares. The placement of every hill, rock, body of water, plant and timber structure is said to have been placed according to specific rules and

methods.

Aside from the tranquil greenery, there are permanent exhibitions of Chinese timber architecture, rocks and potted plants. I was amazed at how ancient Chinese structures with huge wooden roofs and all built without the use of iron nails.

For foodies, there is also a vegetarian restaurant and teahouse nearby where one can try vegetarian cuisine or

Jewels in the garden

just to sit down to enjoy the calming view of the garden’s koi pond while sipping on some tea.

The highlight of the garden though would be a spectacular golden pagoda that occupies the middle of a pond. Connecting the pagoda are two red-colored arch bridges that also showcase traditional Chinese bridgemaking skills.

Adjacent to the Nan Lian Garden is the Chi Lin Nunnery. Established in 1934 and renovated in the Tang dynasty architectural style in 1990, the Chi Lin Nunnery is a large temple complex of elegant wooden architecture, treasured Buddhist relics and soul-soothing lotus ponds.

The complex also includes a series of temple halls, some of which contain gold, clay and wooden statues representing Buddhist divinities.

To get to the the Nan Lian Garden, just take the MTR to the Diamond Hill Station and walk to Exit C2. Just follow the signs to get to the garden and the adjacent nunnery.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @kennethkingong for more travel stories, foodie finds, and happenings in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

Shaded paths lead visitors around the 3.2 hectare garden.

The rock exhibit.

The teahouse.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

EVENT

Reading made fun at SM City Davao

LAST July 21, SM City Davao along with 52 SM Supermalls and 4 SMDC Malls nationwide, and 7 SM malls in China held the National Children’s Book Reading Day at the Atrium of its Main Mall.

Assistant mall manager Engr. Nick Santos said that it is the fifth year of SM to celebrate the NCBRD which is observed every 3rd Tuesday of July as part of SM’s nation building activity.

The activity is aimed at to fostering learning opportunities for children.

He adds that SM believes that books are powerful tools which instill good values and character for children, enabling them to widen their imagination, enhance their creativity and increase aptitude for learning,

GMA news anchor Sara Hilomen-Velasco was the featured reader of the occasion. Velasco read stories in Filipino entitled “Kaitlin at and Game Machine” and “Si Bob da Blob”. The first story was about virtual gaming in contrast with traditional games which warrant physical interaction among children. The second story reminded kids to make healthy food choices as well as to perform exercise and physical activity in order to stay fit.

This year, SM is joined by the Department of

SM City Davao assistant mall manager Engr. Nick D. Santos welcomes the participants of the National Children’s Book Reading Day.

GMA news anchor Sara Hilomen-Velasco reads “Si Kaitlyn at ang Game Machine” to kids.

SM City Davao turned over story books from Vibal Publishing to the participating schools. In the photo are (L-R, back row) SM Davao marketing manager Cherry Enares, PR officer Apple Legario and representatives from Stockbridge International School.

UP AND ABOUT

Education, National Book Development Board, Vibal Publication and Calidad Humana. Calidad Humana Movement aims to strengthen Filipino qualities, avoiding their loss and dilution as it has happened in other places; and at the same time, strive to spread these natural gifts to friends in other parts

Kids and teachers from EuroAsia, Good Soil Academy and Stockbridge International School browse storybooks from Vibal.

of the world. The participating kids received story books from Vibal. Krispy Kreme doughnuts also supported the activity.

Almost a hundred kids from Good Soil Academy, Stockbridge International School and EuroAsia Emil’s Child Development joined the annual celebration. Also gracing the

event were City Library’s Pedrita Badar and Mila Dy. More exciting and fun activities await everyone at SM City Davao. For inquiries, call 297-6998.

Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow SM City Davao on Twitter or Instagram for event and promo updates.

BULGOGI BROTHERS

offers great Korean BBQ dishes at light prices

BULGOGI BROTHERS gives its guests something to please both the palate and the pocket with its reasonably-priced selections of prime quality meats and all-time favorite dishes served in portions that two can share.

Popular for its authentic Korean cuisine, the restaurant is also a major hotspot for a fun Korean barbecue experience where customers can grill meats, make their own

ssam (or wraps) and indulge in some seriously delicious Korean specialties.

Bulgogi Brothers’ new prices make the experience even more enticing, featuring a full menu of Smokin’ Korean BBQ entrees that have been reportioned and offered at affordable price points to cater to a wider, Korean food-loving crowd. These dishes use the same top quality meats the restaurant is known to serve in all of its branches ensuring customers the best value for their money.

Its Premium Rib Eye and Boneless Short Ribs platter,

for instance, can now be had for only P995. Customers who simply want rib eye or all short ribs may order one of each at P595 per portion and wash it down with makguli or bokbunja just like Koreans do.

The special deal also extends to the restaurant’s signature dishes such as the Bulgogi Brother’s Special, an assortment of perfectly marbled bulgogi seasoned beautifully for P695; Seoul Style Bulgogi, sliced beef noodles and vegetables simmered in a flavorful broth at P425;

and Unyang Style Bulgogi, a famous and tasty dish traditionally served in Korean royal court now made more affordable at P495.

Other dishes to try are the Beef Brisket (P445), Beef Belly BBQ (P425), Beef and Mushroom Bulgogi (P495), Pork Bulgogi (P395), Pork Belly (P425), and Korean Pork Ribs (P425). And in true Korean tradition, all Korean barbecue dishes are served with a variety of kimchi, dipping sauces, and fresh lettuce to make delicious wraps.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado, together again on My Faithful Husband LOVE seems to be sweeter the second time around. For a Kapuso love team, that is.

This August, the award-winning actors – Drama King Dennis Trillo and Kapuso leading lady Jennylyn Mercado – reunite for GMA Network’s upcoming series My Faithful Husband.

The two first starred opposite each other in the GMA program Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak.

Exuding undeniable chemistry on-screen, the two play a married couple in the new series, with Dennis as Emman, a doting husband to Melanie, portrayed by Jennylyn, and a devoted father to their children.

The pair’s marriage is tested, however, when Melanie comes across her ex-boyfriend and her

once more on another Kapuso series. “Siyempre excited ako na makatrabaho si Jen. Last time ko siya nakatrabaho five years ago, dramarama sa hapon yung ginawa namin. Ngayon naman sa primetime,” says Dennis.

On her part, Jennylyn is looking forward to how their pair-up will be received. “Excited

feelings get confused.

And while the series has yet to air on GMA Network, fans are already eager to see Dennis and Jennylyn’s reunion project as the two have been posting photos showing them together on their personal

Instagram accounts.

Their seemingly sweet posts, along with the hashtag #emmanie (a cross between their characters’ names), have viewers and netizens buzzing about a possible rekindled romance.

The two had dated in the

ako kasi gusto ko rin namang makita kung anong kakalabasan lalo na pag nagsisimula na talaga kami kasi dun natin makikita kung inaabangan ba talaga kami, papanoorin ba kami.”

Catch their exciting portrayals on the drama series My Faithful Husband airing soon on GMA Telebabad.

past and fans have been clamouring for a real life reunion.

However, the duo remains tight-lipped regarding the issue and prefer to focus on their new show.

Both are thrilled to be working with each other

Denise, Jane, Loisa, and Vina thank TV viewers for the success of ‘Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita’ “NASAAN Ka Nang Kailangan Kita” stars Denise Laurel, Christian Vasquez, Jane Oineza, Loisa Andalio, Jerome Ponce, Joshua Garcia, and Vina Morales feel blessed about the success of their teleserye and are thankful for the love and support given by TV viewers.

Since it aired last January, “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita” continues to garner high TV ratings and conquer the nationwide trending topics of social media sites because of how the show depicts the different faces of love.

Further proving the success of the series is the heart-warming support given by thousands of fans in “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita’s” thanksgiving shows held in different parts of the country. The series’ grand fans day was led

by Jane, Loise, Jerome, and Joshua.

Meanwhile, afternoon TV viewers will surely

get more hooked in the heated and intensifying scenes in “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita” as Cecilia (Vina), Toni (Denise), Corinne (Jane), and Bea (Loisa) continue to fight for the love that they believe in.

How will Corinne and Ryan (Jerome) face the challenge of being

young parents? Is Bea ready to enter into a relationship with Joel (Joshua)? How will Toni fight for her love for Leandro (Christian)?

Will Cecilia, with her continuing success, still be able to become her old self now that she lives a life of wealth? Will she find it in her heart to

forgive Leandro for the sake of their family?

Under the direction of Mervyn Brondial and Cathy Camarillo, “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita” revolves around the story of four women who depict the different faces of love. It is another production of the group that created some hit drama series such as “Be Careful With My Heart,” “Dream Dad,” and “Oh My G.” Don’t miss the heated scenes and confrontations in the teleserye that shows the different faces of love, “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita,” everyday, 3:15PM, after “Flordeliza” on ABSCBN’s Kapamilya Gold.

For more information about “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita,” log on www.abs-cbn.com, or follow @abscbndotcom on Twitter. Viewers may also catch up on full episodes and past episodes of “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita” through ABS-CBNmobile. For more information, please go to www. abscbnmobile.com.

July 24 – 28, 2015

ANT-MAN * Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas PG

12:00 | 2:30 | 5:00 | 7:30 | 10:00 LFS

PAPER TOWNS Cara Delevingne, Nat Wolff, Halston Sage PG

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

CHAIN MAIL / * THE GALLOWS Meg Imperial, Shy Carlos, AJ Muhlach/ *Reese Mishler, Pfeifer Brown, Ryan Shoos R13/*R13

R-16

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 LFS / *6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

MINIONS Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin, Sandra Bullock

PG

12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

TRAVEL

The suite life at

Outside Suites88.

SUITES88

TUNA FEST is closing in, fancy a new place to stay in Gensan?

Just along Mabuhay Road, Brgy. San Isidro, there’s the newly opened, Suites 88, packed with 28 beautiful guest rooms, and two luxurious suites each packed with a 40-inch flatscreen TV, bathtub, shower enclosure, living room area, kitchenette, dining area, and my favourite part of the suite rooms are their broadway-inspired lit vanity dressers, that’ll surely make any ladies makeup routine a fab experience. Snaps for starlet and diva vibes.

Every room guest has access to the adult and kiddie pool open from 7am- 12mn, free Wi-Fi, a secure parking area, and complimentary breakfast at Ghabriel’s Cafe, open daily from 6:30am to 10pm, which is just right next to the front desk.

I am sold on how beautiful the interior is, chic and clean, I couldn’t help it but want to just roll on the soft comfy beds and check-in that very moment I finished touring the place.

The earthly tones, mixed with white and grey, the shabby chic touches, the lights, everything you need for a relaxing staycation is here.

So if you’re planning to visit Gensan this Tuna Fest, stay at Suites 88, comfort and service

Some stylish details at the hotel’s loby.

without having to drill a hole on your pocket.

For their contact details, rates and more info visit they website, www.suites88.com Follow me on Twitter or Instagram, @kyriekoutre for more adventures in and around my wonderland that is Gensan, Tuna Capital of the Philippines.

The rooms at Suites88 ensure you get some well-deserved rest

7 SCIENCE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

Iron-fortified

rice Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“Access is crucial in reducing micronutrient deficiency because it has no visible signs, making the sufferer unaware of his condition. Since rice is a main component of the diet, more people, especially in the rural areas, will have an immediate and cheaper source of micronutrients,” Dr. Antonio A. Alfonso, a recipient of the Outstanding Young Scientist Award in 2008. *** VERY night, an average Filipino joins at least 3.7 billion other people who go to sleep hungry. Their hunger, however, is not the growling, aching kind. Rather, it is silent, insidiously stunting their bodies and brains, weakening their immune systems, and sapping their energy -and prospects for living productive lives.

Their hidden hunger is called malnutrition, which reportedly contributes to killing an estimated 40,000 people each day.

“We’re still losing one generation after another to malnutrition and this just shouldn’t be happening anymore,” deplored Dr. Howard Bouis, a senior research fellow at the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute.

In Asia, where nearly all the world’s rice is grown and eaten, food means rice. In the Philippines, for instance, people consume about 4-5 cups of cooked rice per day. “If we did not have rice, our deepest comfort food, we would probably feel less Filipino,” said the late food epicure Doreen Fernandez.

Since rice is consumed in

E

great amounts, rice is a vehicle for fortification. According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), food fortification is “the addition of one or more essential nutrients to a food, whether or not it is normally contained in the food, for the purpose of preventing or correcting a demonstrated deficiency in one or more nutrients in the population of specific population groups in which a risk of nutrient deficiency has been identified.”

One of the nutrients identified as lacking in Filipino diet is iron. “Iron is a mineral that is responsible in the production of hemoglobin, the red coloring of the blood,” FNRI, an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), explains. “Hemoglobin is the carrier of oxygen from the lungs to be distributed to the different parts of the body.”

A person who does not get enough iron from his diet will have a lower hemoglobin level. “If this condition is prolonged, one will be suffering from iron deficiency anemia or IDA,” FNRI warns.

IDA develops when body stores of iron drop too low to support normal red blood cell production. “In the Philippines, IDA is very serious across population groups,” FNRI says, adding it is most common among newly-born babies (from 6-11 months old) and pregnant women.

Among children, the consequences of IDA include poor scholastic performance due to poor cognition, low attention span, and frequent attacks of illness due to lowered immune response.

Low and poor productivity due to easy fatigability are what adults experience when they have IDA. Pregnant women with IDA, on the other hand, may suffer from stillbirths, miscarriages and hemorrhage, or worst, death of the baby.

In a recent National Nutrition Survey, it was found that the Philippines has national iron-deficiency prevalence rate of 11 percent. Another nutritional survey suggested that about 50% of the iron intake, even among high-income households, comes from the cereals, particularly rice

and corn.

Balancing cereal-based diets with vegetables and animal products is one approach used in some developing countries to address malnutrition problems. But results were frustrating. Vegetables and animal products are expensive, and seasonal, subject to spoilage because of limited storage and transport facilities.

In 2000, the government signed the Food Fortification Law or Republic Act No. 8976.

It stipulates mandatory fortification of staples like rice with iron and voluntary fortification of processed foods with iron, vitamin A and/or iodine.

In 2004, the National Food Authority (NFA) fortified rice with iron. “NFA led the implementation of the law and has imported iron premix rice (IPR) fortified with ferrous sulfate using coating technology from the United States as no locally produced IPR was available at that time,” said a briefing paper on iron-fortified rice (IFR).

The IFR was distributed to identified nutritionally-at-risk areas through Food

for Schools Program. Unfortunately, the NFA fortified rice was less accepted by consumers due to the dark yellow-colored iron premix in rice and the darkening color of cooked rice. In 2010, NFA stopped the importation of IPR and is now committed to utilizing locally-produced IPR. For its part, FNRI developed IPR made from rice flour blended with iron -- with micronized dispersible ferric pyrophosphate as fortificant -- using extrusion technology, which proved to be stable for one-year storage with iron content still retained.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information said ferric pyrophosphate is “a water-insoluble iron (Fe) compound used to fortify infant cereals and chocolate drink powders.”

In a study conducted among school children in a public school in Pasig, it was found that there was “a very significant decline in anemia prevalence from 100% to 33%.” The IFR was rated as “liked moderately” to “liked very much.”

Another study, done in the

town of Orion, Bataan and the province of Zambales showed that IFR could be marketed under normal conditions by licensed grain dealers.

“The proven nutritional benefits of fortifying rice merits to be downloaded to the private mills making IFR available, affordable and accessible for consumption of all Filipinos to achieve food and nutrition security for higher productivity,” FNRI said in a statement.

Two years ago, the DOST started to roll out the transfer of IPR and IFR technology to private mills/investors in Mindanao.

In a recent Edge Davao report, written by Cheneen R. Capon, the FNRI urges local governments units in Mindanao “to pass ordinances that will mandate rice millers to produce iron-fortified rice.”

According to Elsy Mae Solidum, DOST 11 assistant regional director, only the province of Compostela Valley has such an ordinance. “The iron-fortified rice is now being sold in different public market in Compostela Valley,” she was quoted as saying.

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

EDITORIAL Still passing the buck

T

HIS being his last State of the Nation Address (SONA), we had expected President Benigno Aquino to wax magnanimous as he addressed the two houses of Congress and the people for the sixth and last time. That would have been the statesmanly thing to do, and it would have been a grand way to begin the last year of his administration. There would have been no lack of material for such a magnificent swan song; after all, hardly anyone doubts that the past five years have been marked by growth on many fronts. The Philippines is suddenly a preferred investment destination, and for the first time in a long time we are seeing our economy move up instead of down. There is also a greater sense of social wellbeing as our basic freedoms see more respect from the authorities. To be sure there have been missteps, but on the whole Mr. Aquino has been a competent leader, one who has worked hard to stick to the narrow road which has been the hallmark of his administration.

But instead of focusing on these gains, Mr. Aquino chose the easy road and again blamed the previous administration for the host of problems the country is still having. Instead of comparing his performance with

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his own successes and failures in the past five years, the President chose as his baseline the Arroyo administration -- one that was last in power five years ago and which by now should really have no solid hold on whatever goes on in the country. Any mistake former President Gloria Arroyo may have made should have been addressed at this point. If not, then the fault really lies in the current administration. The fact that Mr. Aquino still compares himself with his predecessor speaks volumes of how little he values his own work.

Any leader wants to be remember for his or her accomplishments, but President Aquino is setting himself up to be remembered for his habit of passing the buck. Even in his last SONA, an address so important that the entire nation waits for it, Mr. Aquino chose not the high road but the path of least resistance. The easiest thing in the world to do is to blame another person for one’s misfortunes, but one expects much more from the President of the Republic. Five years ought to have been enough time for the President to make his own mark; alas, he has probably seen his own lackluster performance and reverted to a habit he has kept for the entirety of his administration.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Specialist General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Mobile: (Smart) 0909-424-7990 Tel: (088) 852-4894

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

VANTAGE POINTS

9

How European companies prepare for ASEAN integration

A

SEAN integration is just around the corner. The EU started early planning a deeper engagement with the Asean countries after the first signs were visible that the China run had slowed down to more realistic expectations and that India would not grow as fast as China promised and did. More than five years ago, the European Commission approached ASEAN governments with the idea of entering into a free trade agreement between both blocks. For a number of reasons a region-to-region FTA did not click at that stage and the European Commission started individual discussions and finally negotiations with a number of Asean members.

Also big European business understood that the Asean Economic Community (AEC), the single market by 2015, had to be taken seriously. The 600-million AEC market offers a multitude of opportunities for European business in Europe and for European companies already active in the region; at the same time, everybody has

I

F YOU can’t lick them, eat them.

That seems to be the advice of Director Theresa Mundita Lim of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) to fishermen and operators who are directly affected by the proliferation of Chinese soft-shelled turtles some years back.

“It is okay to catch and eat them.

In fact, this could be the reason these Chinese soft-shelled turtle were brought into the country and released into the wild by those who may have thought of having them here in the Philippines,” Lim said.

These types of turtles are considered a delicacy in many parts of Asia.

Turtle soup is made from this species.

In Japan, they may be stewed with noodles and served as a winter delicacy.

In China, these turtles are found in rivers, lakes, ponds, canals, and creeks with slow currents. They have been introduced to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor, Guam, some of the Hawaiian Islands, and most recently in the Philippines.

Chinese soft-shelled turtles, scientifically known as “Pelodiscus sinensis,” have invaded the waters of Central Luzon, as well as Laguna de Bay. In Pampanga, Bulacan and Bataan, they have become a menace as they prey on “bangus” (milkfish) and tilapia fingerlings in fishponds.

According to Arthur Salazar, dep-

to underEUROPE BIZ stand that competition will increase in all Asean countries and will create challenges Henry J. Schumacher for those A s e a n and European companies that do not properly prepare. Increased competition will hit all sectors, from agriculture to services to manufacturing. If business prepares well, bigger markets can be addressed, economies of scale be developed and markets beyond Asean be targeted. In that respect, an EU-Asean member states FTA comes in handy.

But European politicians also saw the need to get European SMEs attracted to

the growing Asean individual markets and eventually the AEC. The European Commission has started an initiative to create an infrastructure in Asean and in all EU member states that will inform SMEs in Europe about business opportunities in the Asean member states and in Asean in total. The project will initially involve Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Cambodia and Laos will follow.

Singapore will also be involved and Thailand already set up an EU-ASEAN Business Center two years ago.

The basic idea is to ‘transport’ the information about business opportunities in Asean to the SMEs in all EU member states and – more importantly – to thoroughly assist those SMEs that wish to enter one or more Asean markets, and guide them to success. The European chambers of commerce in all the Asean countries will be deeply involved and will closely cooperate with the business organizations the individual EU member states have already established in these countries. In the Phil-

ippines, for instance, ECCP will closely work together with the British, French, German, Italian and Spanish Chambers of Commerce, with all European business clubs and with the commercial sections of the European embassies in the country. It is trusted that the EU initiative will finally become reality in the Philippines (and in the other Asean countries), giving European business in all Asean countries a service platform, creating capabilities and capacity to be able to service the European SMEs and establish a sustainable business model that will assist European business long-term.

In this context, however, it is important to add that European SMEs or European business at large will not succeed in Asean if we fail to bring Asean business together with European business in win:win partnerships. In other words, Asean business will benefit and will become more competitive to address the European market.

The FTAs between the EU and the Asean member states have this objective in mind.

uty director for protect- THINK ON THESE! ed areas, wildlife and coastal zone management service, the Chinese softshelled turtles are carnivorous and a g g r e s s i v e , Henrylito D. Tacio “ p r e f e r r i n g henrytacio@gmail.com to forage at night to feed on fish, crustaceans, mollusks and insects.”

Filipinos never learned. During the 1980s, “golden kuhol” became popular as it was touted to be a delicacy.

Because it was good food and equally good alternative source of income, enterprising farmers started raising “golden kuhol” in their backyards.

But barely three years after its introduction to the Philippines, the snail which is said to have originated from the Amazon River in South America was practically everywhere. The snail multiplies rapidly, a characteristic that transformed them from being a rare delicacy to a dreaded pest.

“Golden kuhol” are very prolific; a female snail lays 200 to 500 eggs at a time, and between 1,000 to 1,200 eggs during one month. They proliferate rapidly as their eggs and hatchlings are transported by rivers and streams.

They are dispersed to the rice fields through irrigation water.

“The introduced snail has caused one of the worst biological disasters ever to have affected Philippine agriculture with its invasion of irrigated rice fields,” said national scientist Rafael D. Guerrero III. “Because of its prolific breeding and voracious breeding habits, the snail is highly destructive to newly-planted rice seedlings.”

“Not all that are good for other countries is good for us,” reminded Dr. Guerrero, who was formerly the executive director of the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development.

“In fact, it can be a big problem.”

Guerrero was referring to invasive alien species, of which Chinese softshelled turtles and “golden kuhol” are two examples. The Convention on Biological Diversity defines IAS as those that are introduced into new habitats by human intervention and usually are invasive or aggressive.

AIS, as described by the US Department of Agriculture, are plants, animals, and microbes not native to a region which, when introduced either accidentally or intentionally, out-compete native species for available resources, reproduce prolifically, and dominate regions and ecosystems.

AIS have been classified into microorganisms (avian malaria, banana bunchy top virus, rinderpest virus),

aquatic plants (water hyacinth), land plant (cogon, mimosa, African tulip tree), aquatic invertebrates (green crab, marine clam), land invertebrate (common malaria mosquito, golden apple snail, common wasp), amphibian (bullfrog, cane toad), fish (carp, Mozambique tilapia), bird (Indian myna bird, red-vested bulbul), reptile (brown tree snake), and mammal (domestic cat, goat, mouse, pig, rabbit, and red fox).

“After habitat loss, this biological invasion constitutes the greatest threat to biodiversity, and it has already had devastating consequences for the planet,” says an official of the World Conservation Union. “The economic bill runs into tens of billions of dollars every year. Pests, weeds and pathogens, introduced deliberately or accidentally, reduce crop and stock yields, and degrade marine and freshwater ecosystems.”

In the Philippines, the PAWB has identified about 170 alien or non-endemic species of plants, animals and insects that have been recorded as causing damage to agriculture and local biodiversity.

In the film “War of the Worlds,” the Martians were defeated by an Earthly infection – perhaps a bout of flu – to which they had no resistance. Real world aliens, however, are often made of sterner stuff.

Invasion of alien species

10 NEWS Rody... FROM 1

kadugay magpaabot ang mga pobre nga muabot pud sa ilahaang kalipay anang kwarta (The problem there, how long the poor will wait before that money will reach to them),” he added.

President Aquino’s final SONA took him two hours and 13 minutes with the aid of an audio video presentation.

However, Duterte also pointed out some missing points on the President’s report like a concrete program on the fight against illegal drugs and criminality for the country.

“Crime and criminality especially drugs should have reviewed more,” he said.

Duterte cited that Manila Police District told him several months ago that nine out of 10 are influenced with illegal drugs.

“That is true for the entire country especially in cities.

Not really on massive scale but drugs is creeping into the live into the young people,” he said.

“You could equate it with the national security,” he added.

The mayor said Aquino should have a better program for anti-illegal drugs and criminality in the country.

Duterte also pointed out that Aquino should not blame the previous administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo just to show that his administration is better.

“I would have wanted to say that... past is past and we have nothing to do with it. we should have focus more on the thing that need to be accomplished before his term expire,” he said.

The panel chairman admitted that they could not approve the original proposed measure because there were some provisions that violate or contradict the Constitution.

“We remove all unconstitutional provisions so it is easy for us now to convince the 75-man members of the Ad Hoc committee to pass it on second and third reading,” he pointed out.

He said that the bill can be considered now as creating an enhanced Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao after they decided to make constitutional offices as regional in nature and the police force with the armed forces does not need to seek clearances but directly under the supervision of the headquarters.

“The beauty of the bill is

it has additional key positions which are not present in the present setup of the ARMM,” he explained.

In the original bill, they wanted to have separate constitutional offices like the Ombudsman, Commission on Audit, Commission on Elections, Human Rights, Securities and Exchange Commission and the likes.

They are also asking for separate Police and Armed Forces which are not directly under the supervision of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Policemen and soldiers needing to coordinate first with the Bangsamoro before they can operate within the region is no longer allowed in the proposed measure, Rodriguez said. (PNA)

and Social Marketing”.

She said with the breakthrough on i-Rice there are already areas in the Philippines that adopt the program like in Zambales where the provincial government and the local government units are really pushing for the program.

This new development is being supported by the private sector and the rice millers especially in that area, she said.

That is why we are going around the country to advocate and propagate this program if only to address the increasing cases of anemia in the country, she added.

An iron fortified rice (IFR) is an enriched rice made from a blend of premixed iron-fortified rice grains with ordinary rice.

The premixed fortified rice grains is an ordinary rice coated with iron is in suitable solvent and binder. IFR contains 6 mg iron per 100 gram rice. A day’s intake of approximately 4 to 6 cups of cooked IFR will meet the dialy iron requirement of the

body.

The 1998 National Nutrition Survey of Food and Nutrition Research Institute of DOST showed that 30.6 percent of the entire population having high prevalence of anemia among sector composed of infants, elderly, pregnant and lactating mothers and children.

She said the figure of anemia cases continue to increase and consumption of IFR is expected to build healthy red blood cells, improve physical and mental performance, prevents anemia and strengthen the body against infection.

Meanwhile, DOST-XI assistant regional director Elsie Mae Solidum said their office provides assistance to millers in the form of loan with zero interest on the equipment that will be used for processing i-Rice.

For instance, she said that they would provide loan for blending machine that would cost P400,000 and the payment will be on staggered basis. (PNA)

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He said that if he will be a president he will also blame the previous administration

EDGEDAVAO and the next administration will also blame him.

“You know Arroyo is already in jail. So, what is the beef?” he said.

Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte also hit the earlier statement of Aquino in his SONA and he said after five years, the blame is still on the previous administration.

“I am disappointed and frustrated. You don’t run your politics like that. You take the cudgels from where the previous admin ended and from there do everything to make things happen for the country,” Paolo said.

Paolo however commend his administration for having some hardworking members of the cabinet.

The vice mayor cited Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares as the best example.

“Tama ra pud ng mo file ug kaso sa mga tax evaders aron makat-on sila. Sila na lang ga-sige og patambok sa bulsa mintras ang mga pobre nagkanipis na ang lawas sa kagu-

tom,” he said.

Paolo said the next president must have a clear policy on issues that truly matter to us such as the economy, corruption in government, peace in Mindanao, unemployment rate and peace and order thru-out our country.

“A president whose term is not defined by the weakness of others but by his own strength and capacity,” he said.

Meantime, Representative Walden Bello of the Akbayan Party-list said that the President only picked what is favorable to his administration.

“Positive side lang ang ipinapahayag. So far avoiding hard issues like corruption of cronies like Budget Sec. Butch Abad, continuing high rate of poverty and inequality, and failure of agrarian reform.

But I agree with some points, like necessity of passing BBL(Bangsamoro Basic Law).

Still also waiting for statement of command responsibility for Mamasapano. Also, where is FOI(Freedom of Information)? Complete silencer dito.”

ing of the OFW population here.

“Our latest data (taken in 2000) are already outdated,” she said. “The number of overseas workers here have grown in the past 15 years.”

She said the enumeration would need a budget to be implemented. “We have had an initial meeting with councilors Leah Librado-Yap and Antoinette Principe for the sponsorship of our proposal of a P2 million

budget for the operation of the OFW center,” she said.

Elento said the P2 million proposal is expected to be included in the 2016 budget to be discussed by the City Council this October.

She said having the baseline data would allow the city government to identify overseas workers who are legally working outside the country as well as those who are trafficked.

(NCIP), tribal leaders, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“We want to give emphasis that the incident resulted in the saving of the life of a four-year-old child who was suffering from pneumonia and could have died if he was not brought to the hospital,” Danao said.

DSWD assistant regional director Rebecca Sta. Maria said the child is now under medication and is in a good condition.

The mother and sister of the boy were also found to be suffering from urinary tract infection. According to Sta. Maria, the mother of the children said she does not want her family to go back to Haran.

For her part, CHR 11 officer-in-charge Irene Joy Ta-

la-Monterao said her office is now conducting an investigation on the incident.

In an interview yesterday, CHR 11 officer-in-charge lawyer Irene Joy Tala-Montero told EDGE Davao the investigation was initiated motu propio or even in the absence of a complaint.

“We would take cognizance of that case to see whether or not a human rights violation was committed during that day,” she said.

Tala-Montero said the CHR will recommend the filing of cases if human rights violations were committed by government agencies or even private individuals.

“As a recommendatory body we would recommend it to the proper forum for appropriate action for the accountability of any individual, whether public officers or

mayor (Rivera) asked him if there are any scholarships that they can grant to the city. Well, this is it,” Amparo explained.

On the other hand, Mayor Rivera promised that he will still have talks with secretary Villanueva so that he can bring more scholarship grants to the city. “I know that there are still a lot of our constituents who need these scholarship programs.

I will still talk with Villanueva so that we can access the various scholarship grants of TESDA,” said Mayor Rivera.

Recently, Mayor Rivera also launched a city government-initiated scholarship program called EDUKAR (Edukasyon alang sa Kabus na Residente sa Gensan) which gives qualified students “all-expense paid” college education. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare)

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

Aquino... FROM 2 ficult” – Jaezele Pantonial (UIC- 4th year-BS-HRM) “ I am not convince of what PNoy have said during his last SONA because I can see selfishness on it in a way that he just mentioned more about his achievements”- Bern Opindo (SPC-4th year BS-Pharmacy” “ if I were to rate PNoy as a president I will just rate him 60%out of 100% because there are a lot of things that he lacks” –Joseph Limpoco (USEP- 3rd year BS-Statistics) “ I give PNoy 70% out of 100% as our president because though there are things that he wasn’t able to accomplished it but still he also able to help many people” – Denver Areno ( DMSF-3rd year- BS-Dentistry) “SONA is all about the Administration’s “successes’” in reaching the Philippine Development Plan which are all surface level of what should all know about the country’s overall situation and also the bragging on his bet for 2016 Presidential elections.” – Anonymous, U.P. Mindanao “Magpapabango nanaman si pnoy sa sona niya.

Ang mangyayari nalang ay kung makikinig pa ang mga tao sa ratsada niya patungkol sa achievements ng administrasyon niya. So ayun, di na sana magpaloko ang mga pinoy.” – Sweet, U.P. Mindanao

“I expect a lot of empty words and pointing fingers.” – Rosario, U.P. Mindanao “I’m a bit expecting and looking forward because of the “past administration” statements.” -- Anonymous student from U.P. Mindanao “I expect that he will still blame the past administration.” – Anna, DMSF “Pnoy still uses figures on the improvements that he was able to accomplish.

I think he would still give reminder or advice to the next administration that will govern.” – JC, USEP “Problems weren’t fixed by the Aquino administration. It started with the feud in Quirino Grandstand when there was a hostage taking of Hongkong Nationals. Instead of creating solutions, things got worse like; the Philippines is still not ready for the K-12 program because classrooms are still not enough to accommodate all students especially for public schools.” – Farina, USEP “I don’t care about the content of SONA because there’s still no improvement in the government.

The rate of poor families is still rising and high.” – Chermevej, USEP “My reaction was a lot of things were not mentioned.

He still focuses in the minor areas and not giving attention to the major issues that the Philippines is facing.” – July, USEP

private individuals, who will be found violating human rights,” she said.

Tala-Montero said her office sent a team to the area on the day of the incident but the team arrived after the actual entry of police where commotion happened.

She said the investigation is still ongoing and she cannot divulge any detail that might jeopardize it.

For her part, Councilor Leah Librado demanded an investigation from the CHR, saying the violent police ac-

tion came days after North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco insisted that the Lumads return to their communities.

She said Catamco had claimed progressive lawmakers and groups had “kidnapped and detained” the 700 evacuees in a “concentration camp,” referring to the UCCP Haran.

She said at least 15 Lumads, datus (chieftains), and support staff were hurt as they barricaded the gate while police were trying to force their way in.

was ranked that low was simply because they were not able to get a data on the percentage of households with electricity, according to him.

“In NCC’s system, any indicator with NDA which stands for No Data Available will automatically reflect zero point for the city in that particular category,” Cortez said.

“How is that even fair?

How can you accurately rank cities if you will proceed with the evaluation even with the incompleteness of data?” he asked.

The DCIPC chief also questioned indicators used

by NCC in assessing the city’s competitiveness.

“I am seeing vast im-

provements in Davao City.

Obviously, we are all seeing that yet the NCC paints a different picture. Why is it that they took out a very important security indicator “that would have improved our ranking points in Government Efficiency which is crime incidence ratio,” Cortez said.

“Victims of police-perpetuated crimes in other prominently ranked cities would definitely disagree. I strongly believe that if crime incidence was taken in as one of the indicators, there will be major changes in the rankings. But then again, a survey and evaluation can always be altered and skewed in favor of the blessed ones,” he added. CRC

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11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

KALIKABILDO. (From left) DCWD Public Information / Relations Division manager explains how Kalikabildo spreads environment protection awareness among students while Water Quality Division manager Hydie R. Maspiñas and assistant general manager for administration Mildred G. Aviles thank the schools for their support to DCWD’s cam-

paign. DDC vice president for academic affairs Dr. Maria Leah F. Villano and SPC vice president for administration Dr. Marleonie M. Bauyot express gratitude to DCWD for choosing their schools to be part of its advocacy.

DCWD continues Kalikabildo F

OLLOWING the MATS College of Technology forum last June 25, Davao City Water District (DCWD) continued its environmental campaign through Kalikabildo in San Pedro College (SPC) on July 16, Davao Doctors College (DDC) on July 9.

Kalikabildo is an annual forum that highlights environment issues for high school and college students.

The activity was part of the Environment Month celebration of DCWD but was extended to the Recycling Month celebration due to the schools’ availability.

The forum is spearheaded by the Public Information / Relations Division (PI / RD) of the Community Relations and External Affairs Department with overall coordinator PI / RD manager Maria Editha C. Monje.

Resource speakers dis-

cussed various water-related issues to around 600 students. Councilor Leo R. Avila III explained how rainwater harvesting can help people adapt to climate change.

DCWD Pollution Control and Safety Office staff John Christian M. Palo then highlighted the necessity of proper septage management in order to protect the water sources and the development of DCWD’s septage management project.

On behalf of DCWD general manager Edwin V. Regalado, assistant general manager for administration Mildred G. Aviles and Water Quality Division manager Hydie R. Maspiñas encouraged the students to practice and campaign water conservation and environmental protection. They also thanked the schools for their continued support to DCWD’s environmental protection campaigns as Davao Doctors Hospital

Cooperative and SPC are both adopters of DCWD’s Adopt-aSite Project.

SPC vice president for administration Dr. Marleonie M. Bauyot and DDC vice president for academic affairs Dr. Maria Leah F. Villano thanked DCWD for choosing their respective schools to become part of the DCWD’s advocacy to promote a healthy environment.

All students, teachers and school officials in attendance received bookmarks and notebooks while students who answered questions and raised their queries about the discussions were given bags, planners and foldable fans. All these materials were customized to bear various environmental protection messages in order to help disseminate the advocacy.

Aside from the fora in both schools, DCWD also set-

up exhibits about the various environment-themed celebrations that DCWD has been conducting including the 2015 activities for World Water Day and Ocean Month celebrations. To further its information dissemination campaign, water conservation stickers were posted on lavatories and drinking fountains and Adopt-a-Site and 10 Water Conservation Tips posters were placed on the schools’ bulletin boards.

Continuing its Recycling Month celebration in July, DCWD will install additional artificial coral reefs in the fish sanctuary at Lizada Beach in Barangay Hizon.

It also launched its plastic bottle boat making contest for Davao City rescue teams dubbed “Ang MaBOTEng Bangka, Sagip Buhay ng Kapwa”. The contest will be conducted in August. (Jovana T. Duhaylungsod)

DA’s P1.02-B agri-infra to boost rural productivity in Mindanao

A

government development project boosts rural production areas in Mindanao with more agriculture-support infrastructures.

According to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) in its mid-July report, Mindanao is picking up on its implementation of infrastructure subprojects particularly on road networks across Mindanao.

A total of 27 concreting of farm-to-market road (FMR) subprojects are in its various stages of implementation covering a total of 102.19 kilometers with a total cost of P1.02 billion.

These subprojects are implemented un-

der PRDP’s infrastructure development arm IBUILD or the Intensive Building of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development Component.

“With the IBUILD component, the Project aims to put in place strategic and climate-resilient rural infrastructure facilities along the value-chain of the champion commodities in each province in the country,” said PRDP Mindanao Cluster Project Director Lealyn A. Ramos.

“In this manner we elevate the productivity of the countryside and uplift rural lives particularly the farmers and fisherfolk,” she added.

(Sherwin B. Manual/ PRDP Mindanao)

12 CLASSIFIED

EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

NEWS 13

P-Noy vows more air assets for AFP NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 9003 under Loyola Contract No (s). 746251-8 issued to LUZVISMINDA S. VELOS 0825 under Loyola Contract No (s). 366667-4 issued to MAGDALENA T. DELEÑA 2113498-1 under Loyola Contract No (s).

10360627-8 issued to ROLANDO Y. JUMALON were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

7/14,21,28

G

REAT strides have been made in the acquisition of air assets and other equipment for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

This was stressed

by President Benigno S. Aquino III during his last State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) Mon-

day.

He made this statement after noting that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) now has three Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” cargo planes in its inventory compared to the one it possessed during the previous administration.

Aquino also said that two more C-130s are scheduled to arrive

within the next two years to augment the existing fleet.

The Chief Executive also added that the first of three EADS CASA C-295 medium lift transport have been delivered and another two will be commissioned before the end of the year.

He added that the PAF will also acquire two C-212 aircraft which

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late VIRGINIA DONEZA PASAJE has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT SALE executed among her heirs per Doc. No.291; Page No.59; Book No. XLVII; Series of 2015, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN

7/21,28,8/4

will be also delivered.

This is on top of the 13 AgustaWestland AW109 delivered to the Navy and Air Force.

Ten of the helicopters are armed and undergoing technical inspection and assessment as of this posting along with six Bell 412 combat utility helicopters. (PNA) Aquino stressed that the military modernization will get more impetus once the first two South Korean F/A-50 fighter jets, out of a 12 plane order, are delivered by December this year.

Aside from this, the Philippine Navy is now waiting the arrival of two Australian-donated landing craft heavies which will join the existing landing craft fleet.

Besides this, Aquino said that the country will also acquire two modern frigates and close-air support aircraft to augment existing units.

Other items in the pipeline include modern rifles, and grenade launchers. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

14 MOTORING

ROCK SOLID C

HEVROLET Philippines celebrates its Truck Month by making a Rock Solid offer available to its customers. This month, Chevy launches the Tracker and Tracker Pro editions that combine off-road truck capability, crossover refinement and best-in-class performance features.

Born to be strong and ready to haul or tow anything with ease, the Colorado Tracker variants are powered by a class-leading 2nd generation Duramax diesel engine producing 200 horsepower and 500 Newton-meters of torque. These translate to superior driving performance compared to other locally available pick-up trucks in its class. In addition, the Colorado Tracker’s 1-ton hauling capacity and the 3.5-ton towing capacity plus a 6,000-lb tow hitch with electrical receiver makes for a very able-bodied road companion.

The Tracker Pro is especially equipped with a standard 12,000-lb integrated power winch with recovery equipment package – critical equipment for serious thrill-seekers enabling the Tracker Pro to free itself from deep mud, sand or gravel or for climbing steep,

VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

Chevrolet PH celebrates truck month with launch of Colorado Tracker Pro

slippery slopes.

Both the Tracker and Tracker Pro editions feature the Chromatic Rear View Mirror with 4.3” LCD Backup Monitor equipped with Overview Sensing Monitor as standard. To further enhance the Tracker Pro, Chevrolet equipped it with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that warns the driver if one or more tires are significantly under-inflated.

A Dash Camera with 32 GB memory card has also been integrated into the rear view mirror of the Tracker Pro, enabling continuous recording of forward view during the vehicle’s operation.

Developed to be a go-anywhere vehicle, the Colorado has a game-changing combination of power, capability and right-size configuration. Built like a rock, it can face any road challenge – from floodwaters to shallow rapids, off-road jungles to scaling steep inclines – this all-terrain capable 4x4 is a must-have for any adventure.

With the Tracker and Tracker Pro, finding new roads are made even easier with a choice between 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The

truck’s 8-cross member ladder chassis configuration enables the vehicle to withstand high torture torsional stress whenever you go off-road. The Tracker’s suspension has an added 2-inch lift that affords increased ground clearance and offers best-in-class 880mm water wading capability while the built-in snorkel intake reduces risk of water intrusion into the engine. These 4x4 variants also feature aesthetic upgrades that enhance its unique and sporty stance.

The brawniest looking in the Colorado bunch, the Trackers look tougher with 17” gunmetal gray wheels with all-terrain tires and aluminum skid

plate that not only add to its very capable appeal, but more importantly, protect components from rocks and debris.

Backed by over 100 years of legendary truck-building expertise, Chevrolet Philippines assures its customers of a worry-free ownership experience.

In addition to the brand’s hallmark dependability and high quality, Chevrolet also offers industry-leading warranty coverage for pick-up trucks.

The bowtie brand is the only automaker in the local midsize pick-up segment that offers a 5-year warranty as standard.

The Chevrolet Colorado offers a special warranty that covers the vehicle for 3 years plus a

used to get.

The styling of the new Philippine-spec Odyssey is very different from the previous model, though it clearly follows the latest design statement from Honda. The Odyssey gets dual LED projector headlamps, daylight running LEDs and 17-inch wheels.

What is significant is that this Odyssey (being a Japanese model) is significantly smaller than the U.S. model it will replace here. The new Odyssey measure in at 4830mm long (USDM: 5154mm), 1820mm wide (USDM: 2012), and 1695mm tall (USDM: 1737mm). The wheelbase

is also shorter at 2900mm (USDM: 3000mm) Inside, the upcoming JDM Odyssey will be a 7-seater (22-3) as opposed to the 8-seater (2-3-3) USDM version it will replace; the reason for this change is that the middle row is now occupied by a pair of captain’s seats with ottomans for comfort. The third row can also fold completely flat.

The dashboard and interior have also been fully redesigned, and comes with a long list of luxury and tech features such as a 7-seat touchscreen up front and a 9-inch screen that drops down from the ceiling. There are HDMI ports

(for LCD mirroring with your smartphone/tablet). Standard features include push-button ignition, a smart key, dual power sliding doors, a triple-zone automatic climate control system, among others.

For safety, the 2015 Odyssey gets active cornering lights, a multitude of cameras for easy parking, Vehicle Stability Assist with Motion Sensitive electric power steering, 6 SRS airbags (2x front, 2x side, 2x curtain), Hill Start Assist and many others, including a cross traffic monitor when backing out of a parking spot. There’s also an automatic parking assist that can get into a standard

Meet the soon-to-be launched 2015 Honda Odyssey in PH

W

ELL, it seems Honda Cars Philippines is about to launch something that will shake up the luxury minivan segment: the 2015 Honda Odyssey.

Based on the information we have received, the vehicle will be launched on March 3, and the new generation model will be based on the JDM and ASEAN market version.

Yes, you read that right: Honda Cars Philippines will be launching the new generation Odyssey that will be a variation of the JDM (Japan Domestic Market) model instead of the American and Canadian versions of the nameplate that we

2-year extended warranty for the powertrain or 100,000 kilometers whichever comes first. Chevrolet also provides its new clients with free 3-year 24/7 Roadside assistance.

The Colorado Tracker Edition has the versatility and extreme driving capability necessary for the Philippines’ challenging road and weather conditions. In preparation for the coming rainy season, Chevrolet offers easy ownership experience through the Truck Month promo which includes a P 119,000 All-in low down payment scheme available for the Chevrolet Colorado 4x2 LT MT. The Chevrolet Colorado is available in seven exterior colors: Summit White, Black Sapphire, Sizzled Red, Auburn Brown, Moroccan Blue, Royal

Grey and Switchblade Silver at the following prices: 2.5 Liter 6-Speed Manual Transmission (4x2 LT) - PHP 1,148,888.00 2.8 Liter 6-Speed Manual Transmission (4x4 LTZ) - PHP 1,468,888.00 2.8 Liter 6-Speed Automatic Transmission (4x4 LTZ) - PHP 1,538,888.00 2.8 Liter 6-Speed Manual Transmission (4x4 MT Tracker Edition) - PHP 1,468,888.00 2.8 Liter 6-Speed AutomaticTransmission (4x4 AT Tracker Edition) - PHP 1,538,888.00 2.8 Liter 6-Speed Manual Transmission (4x4 MT Tracker Pro) - PHP 1,528,888.00 2.8 Liter 6-Speed Automatic Transmission (4x4 AT Tracker Pro) - PHP 1,598,888.00

parking spot (perpendicular) and a parallel parking space.

Powering the new generation 2015 Odyssey is an Earth Dreams-derived 2.4-liter SOHC 16-valve Inline-4 i-VTEC motor. The engine is unusually small given that the US-version Odyssey has a 3.5L i-VTEC V6,

but given that this JDM Odyssey is lighter, the maximum output of 175 PS at 6200 rpm and 226 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm should be enough. Also standard is the automatic idle stop technology and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS15

MINDANAO AGUILAS Pacquiao’s cage team joins ASEAN Basketball League A

ANOTHER FEATHER ON HIS HAT. Manny Pacquiao has joined the Asean Basketball League with a team to be known as Mindanao Aguilas.

FTER a oneyear absence, a Philippine team, supported no less by boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, is back in the Asean Basketball League (ABL).

Spin.ph reported yesterday that Pacquiao’s team will be known as the Pacman Mindanao Aguilas. The franchise will be made up mostly of players coming from the Mindanao region and to be coached by Niño Rejhi Natividad.

The report said that aside from the 36-year-old Pacquiao, who is playing-coach of KIA in the PBA and owner of the MP Ho-

Fil-Aussie Jason Day L wins Canadian Open

J

ASON Day made himself right at home in the Canadian Open — at David Hearn’s expense.

The Australian birdied the final three holes to win the national championship on Sunday at Glen Abbey (Monday, Manila time), spoiling Hearn’s bid to become the first Canadian winner in 61 years.

“I’ve never felt so much at home, and I’m not even from Canada,” Day said.

“I’m looking forward to coming back and defending the title here next year because I know that when I get here next

year it’s going to be the same. It’s great to feel like a Canadian for a week.”

Day made a 20-foot putt on the par-5 18th for a 4-under 68 and a one-stroke victory over Bubba Watson. Hearn, two strokes ahead of Day and Watson entering the round, had a 72 to finish third — two strokes back.

“I’m real proud of the way I played and I’m really proud to be Canadian today,” Hearn said. “It was a pretty special day with all of the fans and the support that I had from beginning to finish.”

tel team in the PBA-D League, also backing the team are Zamboanga businessmen Mark Chiong and Rolando Navarro Jr. The entry of the Mindanao Aguilas will mark the return of the country to the regional cage league after San Miguel left the ABL in 2013 shortly upon winning the championship against the Indonesia Warriors.

The ABL is set to open its sixth season in October.

Then again, the new ballclub will have large shoes to fill in as two of the previous Filipino teams which competed in the ABL both emerged champions – the Philippine Patriots during the inaugural ABL season in 2010 and San Miguel

three years later.

But Natividad vows the Aguilas will be a competitive team.

“Playing in the ABL gives players from our area an opportunity to showcase their talent.

Since Boss Manny (Pacquiao) is a proven winner, he wants our team not just to participate but also to excel, compete against the best in the Southeast Asian region, and contend for the championship in our maiden season,” he said.

“Our mandate is to field the best team possible and to also further develop the sport in Mindanao.”

At the same time, the ABL stint also serves as way to further unite Christian and Muslims in Mindanao through bas-

ketball.

“We want to showcase the basketball talent of players from Mindanao region and that we can play in competitive leagues such as the ABL,” said Mindanao Aguilas general manager Sergei Bien Orillo.

“Our participation is also a sign of unity and peace in this region. Boss Manny Pacquiao is proud to show the untapped talent and resources from Mindanao, and how beautiful its cities are to the rest of the Philippines and the Asean nations.”

Others supporting the team’s campaign are Monsi Dela Cruz, general manager of Lantaka Hotel, and the various mayors and governors from the different cities and provinces in Mindanao.

Philippines – and he’s seen how June Mar Fajardo has dominated the league for the past two seasons.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who was able to speak with Kelly in the US, said that the scout had positive things to say about Fajardo.

“I was in the NBA Summer League and was talking to Jim Kelly and he said that June Mar is dom-

inating our league right now. I asked him, ‘How do you think he’ll do in the Summer League?’” Cone told InterAksyon.com in an interview.

The 25-year-old, 6-foot-10 center from the University of Cebu has been impressive of late.

He finished the season third in scoring with an average of 17.4 point as well as leading the league in rebounds (12.8) and blocks (1.7). He also shot an impressive 86.1% from the free throw line as he capped the year with a second consecutive PBA MVP award.

Junmar eyed for NBA Summer League

ONGTIME scout Jim Kelly may have been working in the NBA for a while now but he has always kept one eye on Philippine basketball, looking out for talented players that have the potential to make the jump to the big league.

A former big man coach that had involvement with Presto/Great Taste in the PBA, Kelly remains interested in the

“He said if you give him a little bit time, you give him a few weeks, a month or so, to work out with these guys, he’ll come here and be one of the best big men in the Summer League.”

Viloria scores first round KO

B

RIAN Viloria made sure the judges won’t have a say in his long-awaited rematch with Omar Soto.

The 34-year-old former world champion went to work early and proceeded to batter his Mexican opponent and score an impressive first round knockout in their 10-round super-flyweight bout at the Florentine Gardens in Hollywood, California on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).

Viloria knocked down Soto three times in the opening round, capping the short night of work with a lethal left hook.

Time of stoppage was at the 2:02 mark of the

first round.

A three-time world champion, Viloria raised his record to 36-4, with 22 KOs and more importantly, finally erased doubts on his split decision win over Soto five years ago in the Philippines.

The victory likewise put Viloria on track of another possible shot at a world title, two years after yielding the World Boxing Association (WBA)/ World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight crown to Juan Francisco Estrada following a split decision loss in Macau.

The former Olympian has also won his last four fights since losing to Estrada in 2013.

ELLA AT BROOKSIDE. Ella Nagayo hits from the fairways of EO Nay Course NO. 2 of Brookside in Pasadena, California. She finished fourth in this event--the 2015 Veritas World Junior Golf Championships. From Danny Nagayo

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

FINAL FOUR

Holy Child, Ateneo gun final berths

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

T

HE local hoopdom’s cage rivalry is alive again with some familiar colors.

The Blue Knights of the Ateneo de Davao University will square off with the Reds of Holy Child College of Davao in the mini division while their Junior counterparts will battle separate opponents in the thrilling Final Four phase of the 1st Matina Enclaves Inter-School Basketball Tournament on Saturday.

Expect the Davao City Recreation Center to be filled with blue on one side and red on the other as these two bitter rivals in the Davao basketball scene try to assert their supremacy in in this tournament serving as prelude to the regular inter-school basketball season.

Other than the blue and red-shirted cagers, there’s also the maroon, black and the light blue colors of Philippine Women’s College, Precious International School of Davao and Assumption College of Davao who are also equally capable of spoiling the party.

Precious International School of Davao meets PWC in the first crossover semifinals in the mini division at 11 am followed shortly by the Holy Child-Ateneo tussle at 12:30 pm. PISD, which ended the eliminations with a 2-1 win-loss card and undefeated Holy Child (3-0) are slightly favored to ad-

vance to the finals over Ateneo (2-1) and PWC (2-1).

Ateneo-B made it to the Final Four after beating Assumption 109-27 at Genesis Gym on Sunday morning.

In the Junior division, Ateneo will try to get past Davao Jones Academy in their 2 pm encounter while eliminations topnotcher Holy Child will take on Assumption College of Davao at 3 pm. The Reds topped its group in the eliminations with a clean 3-0 slate with Davao Jones finishing second with 2-1. Ateneo topped the other group, 2-1, despite losing to Ford 60-58 last Saturday. The Blue Knights formalized their entry with a masterful 104-32 thrashing of Agro last Sunday at the UM Gym. “We have adjusted well after that loss. We learned our lesson and now we are a better team going to the semifinals,” said Ateneo coach Miggy Solitaria.

The tournament is organized by Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco), developer of Matina Enclaves. It is sanctioned by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas 11 under regional head Regino “Boy” Cua.

TIGHT GUARDING. Dom Cane of Ateneo tries to wiggle out of the tight guarding of his Agro defender. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 83 • TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015

FINAL FOUR SKED August 1, Saturday Davao City Recreation Center 11 am--PISD vs. PWC (Mini) 12:30 pm--Holy Child vs. Ateneo-B (Mini) 2 pm--Ateneo vs. DJA (Junior) 3 pm--Holy Child vs. ACD (Junior)

AERIAL ACROBATICS. Christian Bacalso of Ateneo de Davao University goes up for a one-handed floater against an Agro defender at the end of the eliminations last Sunday at the UM Gym. Lean Daval Jr.